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Boatem was on high alert and had been since dawn broke that morning. Plans for work on shops, farms and megabases had been abandoned in favour of turning every stone, checking every nook, and examining every cranny. The Dragon egg wasn’t missing again - it was something so much more important to everyone in the little village.
Jellie was missing.
She never left Scar’s side at night, and so the moment he awoke without his feline friend the alarm had been raised. He was relieved for the help of his peers, knowing full well that if they weren’t also looking for her he would have descended into a panicked spiral. As it was, he almost had several times, but whenever that had happened someone was on hand to calm him down while three others searched. In an area as large as Boatem they needed as many people as possible searching.
The Boatem Hole had been the first place the group searched. Not because it was likely she’d be there - Jellie was an adventurous cat who often got into dangerous situations, but this would be too far even for her - but because if she was there then they needed to get to her before she took a misstep and found herself in the void. Jellie hadn’t been in the Hole, of course, as the search had continued. Pearl was currently in the peaks of her mountain, Mumbo in the bowels of his storage system, Impulse in his candy garden and Scar the renovated Pine Top lodge.
Grian had been sweeping the empty shops of his alley - seeing if she’d just sought out a quiet corner given all the commotion in the village - but had found nothing. His next idea was to look in the Magical Menagerie. Even if Jellie wasn’t there, Jené usually was, and he was certain the black cat might be able to lead him where he wanted to go.
As he pushed open the door, the bell chimed above, and immediately he heard the cooing of a cat and the gentle thud of paws hitting the floor as Jené came to greet him.
“Hello girl.” Grian said, crouching down with an outstretched hand to rub at her ears. “You’re friends with Jellie aren’t you? Have you seen her at all today? She’s gone for a wander and Scar’s just a bit worried about her is all.” He explained. As if Jené could understand his request she sauntered past him - sure to brush up against his leg - and straight out of the door. The little bell on her collar jingled as she walked over the cobbled deepslate and then into the short grass behind the G Train, and Grian followed her obediently. If she really did know where Jellie was then this would save an awful lot of heartbreak and worry for his friend.
Jené crossed over the tracks and continued to walk alongside the train, coming to a stop beside the lump of deepslate and coal that Mumbo had dumped several weeks ago to try and act as some kind of competition. Beside the piles was another black cat, and Grian sighed. It had been worth a try, he supposed.
“Jené, I don’t have time to play with you and your friend right now. Once we’ve found Jellie, okay?”
If it was possible for a cat to look at him as though he were an idiot, Jené did. She meowed loudly to keep his attention, wandering over to the unfamiliar cat and starting to lick a patch of fur on the back of her head.
Grian watched as the black colour was removed - likely soot from the coal - and was replaced by a recogniseable grey coat.
“Oh, Jené!” He cried, rushing forward to pick up his cat and press a kiss to her disgruntled face. “You are wonderful!” He said, loosening his grip as the cat twisted herself to get down. “Extra fish for you tonight! Come here Jellie, what in the world were you doing playing here? None of us would have recognised you!” Grian said, scooping the second cat up into his arms. He was immediately covered in soot and ash, his sweater stained and his hands smothered, but as more of the debris came away he could confirm that the cat in his arms was most certainly Jellie.
“Come on, let’s get you home.” He said, making sure to keep her content in his arms with an abundance of chin scratches. The short walk from the G Train to Scar’s waggons was filled with happy purrs, and when he caught the eye of a terrified looking friend he smiled.
“Scar! Look who Jené found!” He shouted. “She might need a bit of a bath!”
“Jellie!” Despite all the soot, Scar still recognised her in a heartbeat, and he dove down from the roof of the Pine Top lodge with his elytra helping him to land somewhat safely. It still looked like he hurt his ankles a little, but it didn’t stop the man from running toward Grian with outstretched arms and relieved tears filling his eyes. “Oh my sweet baby Jellie! You had me so worried!” He said, taking her from Grian and immediately pulling her close to his chest. Much like Grian, he barely seemed to mind how dirty his own clothes were getting. “I am never letting you out of my sight ever again, you hear me? I’ll get one of those backpacks and carry you around wherever I go.” He said with a chuckle, the laugh light and airy as the tears in his eyes began to flow. “Grian, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, Jené found her! I’ve already promised her extra fish as a reward, and I think I’ll finally ask Mumbo to clean up after himself so this doesn’t happen again.”
“Tell Jené I am forever in her debt.” Scar replied. “And thank you for bringing her back. I’ll tell everyone she’s been found.”
“And I suppose I better follow through on that promise of fish.” Grian agreed. “I’ll see you round Scar!”
“See ya, G.” Scar said, waving to Grian as best he could with his arms full of Jellie. Grian waved back, before turning and making his way home. His communicator vibrated with the news he already knew and he swore all of Boatem let out a collective sigh of relief.
Well, most of Boatem. Some were waiting impatiently for their promised salmon.